Having recently purchased my copy of the 2013/14 Ashes 5-0 victory on DVD, I can now relive the moments that saw our boys return the urn. I am now on another high as we have won the limited overs series, currently leading 3-0 with 2 matches remaining. It's been a splendid summer.
Some disturbing news has hit the cricket world, with a proposal from the super powers of cricket (in terms of the financial players) which may see a revamp of the ICC and the gradual destruction of competitive cricket of varied nature. The current model serving cricket is not the best solution, along with fixtures that do little to assist organisations to build demand and hype with supporters, but this recent one could dent the game beyond measure. I am very much about getting all the facts before having a thorough opinion, but here's a link to an article which should explain this recent burst of news.
Jarrod Kimber (Cricket with Balls) has summed up the issue by answering some FAQs. If I find the article, I will add it here.
Massive congrats to mighty Mitchell Johnson on winning the Allan Border Medal for 2014. Sensational achievement in such a short space of time. Well done champ!
Mitchell's Ashes stats:
Batting: 165 runs @ 27.50. HS 64, x1 50
Bowling: 37 wickets @ 13.97. BBI 7/40, BBM 9/103
Michael Clarke seemed set to win it for a record fifth time, but Mitchell's heroic summer earned him the prize. His efforts with ball in hand for all 5 Tests, as well as a defining Ashes innings with the bat in hand at the Gabba with Brad Haddin - who was breathtaking to watch - was enough for him to win the prize. Usually the player who wins the medal does so for all round excellence across formats, but Mitchell's efforts were vital in us winning back the Ashes, and Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game.
Michael Clarke (Test award), George Bailey (ODI award), Aaron Finch (T20 award), Meg Lanning (Women's award), Cam White (State Player award), and Jordan Silk (Young Bradman award) all walked away with recognition for their elite efforts for Australian Cricket.
Well done to them all, but cannot forget their team mates.
Now, the big news is the Test squad announced for the South African tour. With out further to do, below is the squad, fixtures, and some squad analysis.
Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Wed Feb 5 - Sat Feb 8
South African Invitation XI v Australians
Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
Wed Feb 12 - Sun Feb 16
1st Test - South Africa v Australia
SuperSport Park, Centurion
Thu Feb 20 - Mon Feb 24
2nd Test - South Africa v Australia
St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
Sat Mar 1 - Wed Mar 5
3rd Test - South Africa v Australia
Newlands, Cape Town
The only exclusion for our victorious Ashes side is that of George Bailey. I anticipated this and think it was a wise call by John Inverarity's selection panel.
Here's what I wrote about George, shortly before the Ashes was concluded: "George Bailey, possibly playing his last Test innings, evidently
enjoying himself just found the gaps, worked the ball away, lived on the
edge but survived to stumps. He has 20* runs and tomorrow could be a
memorable one for him if he just gives hit his best. He has little to
lose. He is in our ODI team as a regular member, has now been a member
of a winning Ashes campaign, and did manage a half-century in Adelaide."
A weakness outside of off stump was exposed by James Anderson, and this would have been far too easy for the South African pace attack to both target and further expose. The wickets in South Africa and Australia draw many similarities, so this weakness would have been a concern heading to their turf. He will always have the memory of being a member of a winning side, along with that record of 28 runs off one over against James Anderson (level with the record).
The head scratch comes with the inclusion of Shaun Marsh at Bailey's expense.
I have always viewed Shaun Marsh as a player of high class and a technique tailored to Test cricket. However, this selection was based on limited overs form and, once again, his potential which often doesn't reflect at the elite level. We saw what this did to George Bailey. Test players must be selected on the basis of the form for Test cricket, being the Sheffield Shield contest.
Shaun scored a Test century on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011, and has shown numerous moments of elite composure and ability but, like Mitchell Johnson, he is a confidence player and seems to be his own worst enemy. His Shield form has been poor to say the least and doesn't warrant selection.
He currently sits in position 34 for most runs scored this Shield campaign, with one century from 9 innings, averaging 31.
In contrast, Phillip Hughes was expected to make the tour based on his return to Shield cricket to score runs and earn his place. He currently has 549 runs at 61.00, and this includes his maiden double century of 204. Go figure and never mind this is a man who has somehow found a way to handle the South African attack time and time again.
Even Marcus North may have seemed a brighter option, while not long term he leads the Shield run scorers list. Don't forget this man scored a century against South Africa on debut at the Wanderers on the same tour where Hughesy scored back to back centuries at Kingsmead, Durban.
All in all, Marsh is the type of player that if he gets into his stride he can genuinely control any bowling attack, but his current form does not suggest this is a likely mindset he has right now. ODI form cannot justify this. Having written this, I know what he is capable of, most of us do and he is now in the side so we just have to hope that should he get a game (probably at number 3, moving Watson down to 6) he will put invaluable runs on the board for us to better our chances of winning this series.
Alex Doolan has been on the radar for some time. This is a long term look from the selectors and previous Shield seasons have showcased the man is a fine batsman. This campaign he has been well below his best but it hasn't affected the confidence in his skills from the selectors. At present he is the 17th highest run scorer in the campaign with 391 runs at 39.10.
These two players will have a chance to showcase against the South African Invitational, before the three match series gets underway.
Chris Rogers will partner David Warner at the top of the order. This is Davey's first Test tour to South Africa, while Chris Rogers has never even been to the country before so it is a first for him.
Michael Clarke was in the early stages of his sublime run of form when we last toured South Africa in 2011. I was at that weird match at Newland's where he scored 151 runs in our 1st innings, only to see us bowled out for 47 runs in the 2nd innings, as well as South Africa been bounced for 98 runs in their 1st innings. It was the best I'd seen Clarkey bat, but it was in vain. He changes Ashes fortune, time to do it again this time.
Steven Smith is on this tour to assist Clarkey in the middle order. Stevo came of age at the WACA and he's become a fine young cricketer, courtesy of the current selection panel giving him time away from international duty to define his role. Similar to Steve Waugh's story in some ways.
Our bowlers from the Ashes will all make the tour.
Mitchell Johnson may very well be the danger man for this tour, with Graeme Smith having the ambulance on standby, but Ryan Harris is the bowler I tip to be our key player tactically. His menacing swing and precision is perfect for South Africa conditions. He can best mirror Dale Steyn, so this series is definitely one where people will salivate come the contest of the fast bowlers. This is the contest that world cricket should care about!
Ryano also cast aside IPL duties to get his knee operation complete, which he's delayed so he can make this tour. Sacrifice at it's best. What a true champion.
Mitchell was so low on confidence on his last tour to South Africa, quite a contrast to his brutal tour there is 2009 where he took 16 wickets at 25.00, including the destruction of Graeme Smith's hand (round 2) and Jacques Kallis' jaw. In 2011 his run up was weak, and he was just not in it. Another reason to be so proud of his return to our side thinking back to those dark days.
Peter Siddle will be greeted by the chants of "Siddle is a wanker". The Newland's crowd in 2011 did substitute the word "wanker" with the word "anchor" in 2011 as they'd grown fond of Sids attitude. That is what Sids need to be though, the anchor of this bowling attack. He needs to play the anchor role, but no doubt the chants will return with the word "wanker" if he bowls well.
James Pattinson returns to the team. He looks very inspired at the moment and quite aggressive. The South African's don't like an aggressive Australian cricketer and there's a few of them in our team. JP is one of the main guns in this regard, so he will be eager to get out there. I hope he stirs with them.
I am also excited about Jackson Bird's inclusion. His Big Bash stint for the Stars has been brilliant, but what's most notable is his consistency come line and length, ability to bang in a short ball with a troublesome angle for the batsmen to stand up to, but best of all is he looks fit and ready to play. I think an attack of Johnson, Harris and Bird is very exciting.
Nathan Lyon remains the spinner of choice and rightly so. South Africa is the not the desired place for a spin bowler to perform, but it serves a purpose. Lyon is now a spin bowler rising to a higher quality of standard than when he first toured there with the 2011 squad. The South African attack is not one usually tipped to be the best against spin - with the exception of AB de Villiers. Lyon may have a decent role to play.
James Faulkner and Shane Watson stack up as our all-rounders and unless Watto is injured, James will likely be the drinks man for the 1st Test. Watto still needs to showcase better consistency to cement his spot for a while longer and we desperately need him to do so this tour. He was hit and miss in the Ashes, but we need the best of Watto this tour. It will make a massive impact on the series.
Brad Haddin gets the nod as keeper of choice. Two years ago I would not have imagined this to be the case, so that is just terrific for Hads that he still has so much to offer us. His ability to initiate rescue missions of late to our 1st innings inconsistencies was urn saving, but he can't do it all the time. In 2011 at Newland's he charged down the track when our team was in trouble. We were bowled out for 47 runs and it's a dismissal many of us just haven't been able to forget.
This is a firm reminder our batsmen need to find ways to believe in themselves to handle the 1st innings pressures in the top of the order. They can.
Other than that, it's now just a case of counting down the days. More build up analysis and opinions to follow. For now, enjoy the final two ODIs. I will be at the Australia Day ODI. Still quite surreal.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
Showing posts with label The Proteas Tour '11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Proteas Tour '11. Show all posts
20 January 2014
28 December 2013
The Ashes, 4th Test, day 3
England 1st Innings: 255 all out from 100 overs overs
Kevin Pietersen 71, Michael Carberry 38
Ryan Harris 2-47, Mitchell Johnson 5-63, Shane Watson 1-11
Australia 1st innings: 204 all out from 82.2 overs
Brad Haddin 65, Chris Rogers 61,
Stuart Broad 3-45, James Anderson 4-67
England 2nd innings: 179 all out from 61 overs
Alastair Cook 51, Kevin Pietersen 49
Nathan Lyon 5-50, Mitchell Johnson 3-25Australia 2nd innings: (Target 231) 0/30 from 8.0 overs
Chris Rogers 18*, David Warner 13*
Plays: Come the start of the day we were batting. Come the close of day 3, we were batting and suddenly in a position to win this Test and go 4-0 up. Brilliant how things can change in a matter of sessions.
Our boys look so alive out there and once again I bring up the theme of unity. Nathan Lyon, who took his 100th Test wicket since debut in 2011, as well as a 5-fer (his 4th in Tests), made certain he gave raps to his team mates, notably his bowling mates. The self-belief is massive and today we saw how important unity is, as well as key players stepping up.
Starting the day trailing by 91 runs with 1 wicket in hand, Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon were able to ensure we reduced England's lead to 51 runs. Every run they tucked away has been invaluable, and could be so in this chase.
Brad Haddin was oddly enough the one England were able to dismiss after he mistimed an attempted pull shot that came onto him a bit quicker than his body position allowed for come the execution of the shot. It didn't dampen the effort of our wicket keeper, who not only scored 65 runs (4 half-centuries, 1 century this Ashes series) but he also became the highest run scorer for an Australian wicket keeper in an Ashes series. A record deserved by a man who has fought some awful odds to be where he is at, after a very patient journey too.
Brad's fight to keep our 1st innings a float is a trend that has been apparent this series, a reason he is my Man of the Series right now, despite Mitchell Johnson's unreal performances.
However, as outstandingly pointed out by Brydon Coverdale (ESPN Cricinfo) if we look back to Newland's 2011, we didn't have the saving graces of Hads that day as we were rolled for 47. He can't do it all the time but thank our lucky Southern Cross he was able to bail us out again.
Nathan Lyon offered excellent support as the number 11 but come his efforts with the ball in hand, he's made his ultimate impression in that regard.
England got off to a strong start, suddenly really dominating the game in a way they have not at all this series. I texted my mate Sylvester just reminding him of Amazing Adelaide. I had a gut feeling that England had, if anything, just given us a wonderful opportunity to fight back and really test our self-belief and skills as a team. Soon after the collapse began. The challenge was accepted and we now find ourselves in a very realistic place to go up 4-0.
Nathan Lyon, he deserves every reward he gets. He was just another spinner in the line post-Warne and was selected on the basis of a remarkable story with the Redbacks and excellent performances in Twenty20 and List A cricket. He found himself debuting against Sri Lanka, and some credit has to go to the previously appalling selection panel, who gave him a chance. The new panel has kept faith in him, and he's repaid it. I am pleased most supporters have kept backing him. He was always the only option. He is still with us and now has 100 Test wickets. His story has been a joy to follow.
I remember meeting Nathan, who was alongsideTrent Copeland, at the nets by Newland's Cricket Ground two days after we were bowled out for 47 runs against South Africa. I asked him if it had sunk in yet that he was shortly before a member of the grounds team at the Adelaide Oval, and was suddenly a Baggy Green cricketer, a member of the Australian team. He laughed, thanked me for the support and just replied, "No mate, I simply can't believe it. I have to pinch myself some days". I bet he is still pinching himself.
He removed England's danger man Ian Bell for a golden duck, and lured England into the attack, having totally made them contradict their style of defensive cricket. It lead to their downfall and we had them all out for 179. He ended with 5-50, giving him 16 wickets at 26.93 for the series.
Mitchell Johnson though was the man under the spotlight once again.
The MCG was once harsh to him, now he has won over the crowds at the gladiator arena of international cricket. As the famous quote from the movie Gladiator goes, "I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom." You'd have to sense their is some similarity between that drive to entertain and be brutal come Mitchell Johnson, and Russell Crowe's character in that movie.
Mitch took a catch, he took the opening wicket, he took the closing wicket, and he ran out Joe Root with some highly athletic fielding with a solid technique on display too. The direct hit was a winner and that was our turning point and the boys knew it. Mitchell Johnson was all over the scorecard and all over the Poms.
He is killing their tail enders and they seem to be eager to leave the field no sooner than they've taken guard knowing Mitch is bowling. I love it.
He also had a good time getting stuck into Kevin Pietersen. Many will dismiss it as bad sportsmanship from these two, but with the ego of KP I think it is inevitable their will be some heat in the middle. They entertain. There was no physical contact but definitely physical aggression. I like it. It dates back the 70s with our team and of course the 80s. The ugly Australian tag is returning and I wouldn't have it any other way.
KP also bowed out of the way five times during his innings during our bowlers run up. It was just the right guy at the crease against the right bowler to add fuel to the fire. It was entertaining and Mitch won that round.
David Warner and Chris Rogers have gotten off to a steady start. We are 30 without loss, requiring another 201 runs for victory. We had two days to achieve this and this is against an English team that is seriously low on confidence. It is more than possible to win this based on their lack of confidence, our self belief and the trend that shows how we have shown greater consistency in our second dig.
Verdict: I am so mighty proud of my boys and just so blown away by the self-belief out there today. It was so inspiring. No other team can give you that emotion - no team, only Australia!
Still some massive work to do tomorrow. If the trend is followed, our collapses occur in the 1st innings. This 2nd innings seems to be when the group really up their game. Nice to see it reverse but right now I will take the trend continuing to see us reach that target of 231 runs. Rogers and Warner looked very relaxed out there and if they can hold the fort to set a strong foundation, this is ours. 4-0, but the challenge is on offer. Another big one for this team going forward.
Tomorrow the boys need all the support they can get.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
Kevin Pietersen 71, Michael Carberry 38
Ryan Harris 2-47, Mitchell Johnson 5-63, Shane Watson 1-11
Australia 1st innings: 204 all out from 82.2 overs
Brad Haddin 65, Chris Rogers 61,
Stuart Broad 3-45, James Anderson 4-67
England 2nd innings: 179 all out from 61 overs
Alastair Cook 51, Kevin Pietersen 49
Nathan Lyon 5-50, Mitchell Johnson 3-25Australia 2nd innings: (Target 231) 0/30 from 8.0 overs
Chris Rogers 18*, David Warner 13*
Plays: Come the start of the day we were batting. Come the close of day 3, we were batting and suddenly in a position to win this Test and go 4-0 up. Brilliant how things can change in a matter of sessions.
Our boys look so alive out there and once again I bring up the theme of unity. Nathan Lyon, who took his 100th Test wicket since debut in 2011, as well as a 5-fer (his 4th in Tests), made certain he gave raps to his team mates, notably his bowling mates. The self-belief is massive and today we saw how important unity is, as well as key players stepping up.
Starting the day trailing by 91 runs with 1 wicket in hand, Brad Haddin and Nathan Lyon were able to ensure we reduced England's lead to 51 runs. Every run they tucked away has been invaluable, and could be so in this chase.
Brad Haddin was oddly enough the one England were able to dismiss after he mistimed an attempted pull shot that came onto him a bit quicker than his body position allowed for come the execution of the shot. It didn't dampen the effort of our wicket keeper, who not only scored 65 runs (4 half-centuries, 1 century this Ashes series) but he also became the highest run scorer for an Australian wicket keeper in an Ashes series. A record deserved by a man who has fought some awful odds to be where he is at, after a very patient journey too.
Brad's fight to keep our 1st innings a float is a trend that has been apparent this series, a reason he is my Man of the Series right now, despite Mitchell Johnson's unreal performances.
However, as outstandingly pointed out by Brydon Coverdale (ESPN Cricinfo) if we look back to Newland's 2011, we didn't have the saving graces of Hads that day as we were rolled for 47. He can't do it all the time but thank our lucky Southern Cross he was able to bail us out again.
Nathan Lyon offered excellent support as the number 11 but come his efforts with the ball in hand, he's made his ultimate impression in that regard.
England got off to a strong start, suddenly really dominating the game in a way they have not at all this series. I texted my mate Sylvester just reminding him of Amazing Adelaide. I had a gut feeling that England had, if anything, just given us a wonderful opportunity to fight back and really test our self-belief and skills as a team. Soon after the collapse began. The challenge was accepted and we now find ourselves in a very realistic place to go up 4-0.
Nathan Lyon, he deserves every reward he gets. He was just another spinner in the line post-Warne and was selected on the basis of a remarkable story with the Redbacks and excellent performances in Twenty20 and List A cricket. He found himself debuting against Sri Lanka, and some credit has to go to the previously appalling selection panel, who gave him a chance. The new panel has kept faith in him, and he's repaid it. I am pleased most supporters have kept backing him. He was always the only option. He is still with us and now has 100 Test wickets. His story has been a joy to follow.
I remember meeting Nathan, who was alongsideTrent Copeland, at the nets by Newland's Cricket Ground two days after we were bowled out for 47 runs against South Africa. I asked him if it had sunk in yet that he was shortly before a member of the grounds team at the Adelaide Oval, and was suddenly a Baggy Green cricketer, a member of the Australian team. He laughed, thanked me for the support and just replied, "No mate, I simply can't believe it. I have to pinch myself some days". I bet he is still pinching himself.
He removed England's danger man Ian Bell for a golden duck, and lured England into the attack, having totally made them contradict their style of defensive cricket. It lead to their downfall and we had them all out for 179. He ended with 5-50, giving him 16 wickets at 26.93 for the series.
Mitchell Johnson though was the man under the spotlight once again.
The MCG was once harsh to him, now he has won over the crowds at the gladiator arena of international cricket. As the famous quote from the movie Gladiator goes, "I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom." You'd have to sense their is some similarity between that drive to entertain and be brutal come Mitchell Johnson, and Russell Crowe's character in that movie.
Mitch took a catch, he took the opening wicket, he took the closing wicket, and he ran out Joe Root with some highly athletic fielding with a solid technique on display too. The direct hit was a winner and that was our turning point and the boys knew it. Mitchell Johnson was all over the scorecard and all over the Poms.
He is killing their tail enders and they seem to be eager to leave the field no sooner than they've taken guard knowing Mitch is bowling. I love it.
He also had a good time getting stuck into Kevin Pietersen. Many will dismiss it as bad sportsmanship from these two, but with the ego of KP I think it is inevitable their will be some heat in the middle. They entertain. There was no physical contact but definitely physical aggression. I like it. It dates back the 70s with our team and of course the 80s. The ugly Australian tag is returning and I wouldn't have it any other way.
KP also bowed out of the way five times during his innings during our bowlers run up. It was just the right guy at the crease against the right bowler to add fuel to the fire. It was entertaining and Mitch won that round.
David Warner and Chris Rogers have gotten off to a steady start. We are 30 without loss, requiring another 201 runs for victory. We had two days to achieve this and this is against an English team that is seriously low on confidence. It is more than possible to win this based on their lack of confidence, our self belief and the trend that shows how we have shown greater consistency in our second dig.
Verdict: I am so mighty proud of my boys and just so blown away by the self-belief out there today. It was so inspiring. No other team can give you that emotion - no team, only Australia!
Still some massive work to do tomorrow. If the trend is followed, our collapses occur in the 1st innings. This 2nd innings seems to be when the group really up their game. Nice to see it reverse but right now I will take the trend continuing to see us reach that target of 231 runs. Rogers and Warner looked very relaxed out there and if they can hold the fort to set a strong foundation, this is ours. 4-0, but the challenge is on offer. Another big one for this team going forward.
Tomorrow the boys need all the support they can get.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
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